Historic Hood River
Hood River circa 1924
Notes
This is a section of a nice panoramic view of Hood River from the newly completed Columbia River Highway, taken shortly after the new auto bridge was constructed in 1920. It looks like there’s a brand new Richfield gas station to service all the tourists on the highway. I believe that’s where Grace Su’s China Gorge Restaurant is currently located. Check out all those billboards at Button Junction.
I date this circa 1924 because another part of this image includes a glimpse of the Hood River White Salmon Interstate Bridge. Between the gas station and the bridge is an area labeled “asparagus fields”.
You can see the Button house and the old blockhouse, as well as the railroad bridge. By now you should be able to identify most of the downtown buildings.
Tags: 1920s, bridge, Button, Columbia River Highway, Hood River, railroad
Charlott
Great view of so many things in this photo, Button House, and also the train depot with Gerddes just above it. I always remember how sharp that corner was when you came off the bridge onto State Street. I remember how difficult it was when you came around that corner on a considerable amount of snow and had to get enough speed to try and get up the hill, keeping in mind that streets were not plowed like they are now.
As to asparagus, I know that that was one crop that Koberg's grew down on their land at Stanley Rock. Asparagus likes that sandy soil.
What information is there available about that block house?
ArthurB
I spoke with Bill Pattison about the blockhouse. He believes it was built in response to the Cascade Uprising and related event of 1856. Here is an interesting account of the circumstances around the event, which seem murky at best: https://ndnhistoryresearch.com/2016/07/24/forever-terminated-the-cascades/
I'm curious about when the blockhouse was removed. I think it is roughly where Tum-A-Lum's woodsheds are located today.
Jeff Bryant
The blockhouse in that location makes sense to me, since the view would be good and the Indian colony was to the east.
Charlott
I know of an Indian colony that was not that far and was to the west.
L.E.
A previous photo of the Blockhouse with a link to another photo??
http://historichoodriver.com/index.php?showimage=2323
1948 view: #18
Colored red: #40
Another question unanswered: “What's that tower like structure?” #984
Jeffrey W Bryant
Indian Katie Jim had land on the Columbia Highway east of town at the Indian colony as of 1922.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn97071110/1922-02-02/ed-1/seq-2/
Jeffrey W Bryant
The Hood River Glacier, February 14, 1924, image 11
County Judge Hasbrouck is engaged in the construction of an elaborate service station at the intersection of the Mount Hood Loop and Columbia River highways. He plans on being ready to greet the traveling public with his new place of business by the time the tourist season is on.
This may be referring to the Richfield station in this photo.